CAT/C/42/2 page 12 Rights and the OSCE/ODIHR and the Commission of the European Union in organizing gatherings around the world to promote and assist in the implementation of the OPCAT. 37. In response to requests from some NPMs for assistance, the SPT is in the process of exploring ways to develop a pilot programme for assistance to NPMs, based on a combination of workshops and observation of NPM visits in action, with subsequent feedback and exchange of views. The workshop model arose from a meeting with a representative of the Estonian NPM during the fifth SPT plenary session. It is being piloted in 2009, as part of a programme supported by the Council of Europe and organized by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT). The SPT is pursuing such avenues of support in order to fulfil its mandate under the OPCAT in the context of a continuing absence of any United Nations budgetary provision for this part of the SPT’s work (see section VI below). 38. In the course of the visits during the reporting period, SPT delegations met with representatives of the bodies designated to act as NPMs in some of the countries visited. In Benin, the draft legislation on the NPM was examined and welcomed; the NPM was not yet in existence and the SPT awaits progress in this regard. In Mexico, the NPM was the subject of a series of discussions, including issues such as the legislation regarding the mandate and scope of the work programme in the context of the complex federal system and resources. In Paraguay, the SPT noted with appreciation that the process of development of the draft law establishing the NPM had been characterized by openness, transparency and inclusivity. Furthermore, the content of the draft law meets the minimum requirements of the OPCAT, including as to the functional independence of the NPM. The SPT is concerned that the draft law has for months been under consideration by the Senate’s commission on legislation and trusts that the impetus for the adoption of the law will be renewed in the weeks following the SPT’s visit. 39. Members of the SPT were also involved in a number of meetings20 at the national, regional and international level, concerning the development of NPMs. The SPT members consider this part of their mandate so crucial that they have made every effort to be involved through self-funding and/or with generous support, including financial, from the OCG. This association of organizations involved in work related to the implementation of the OPCAT provided the SPT with significant help by sponsoring participation of SPT members in a range of important gatherings of key interlocutors and by assisting the SPT in its programme of developing working methods (see section V, below). The SPT wishes to place on record its gratitude for the continuing vital support of the OCG, in particular in relation to the SPT’s work concerning NPMs. B. Questions concerning national preventive mechanisms 40. During the early phase of the operation of the OPCAT, the SPT produced preliminary guidelines concerning the development of NPMs (published in the SPT’s first annual report). These focused on the initial stage of the process, when States parties began to fulfil their obligation under the OPCAT to designate, establish or maintain NPMs. Many States parties are still at this initial stage in relation to the development of their NPMs. 20 For a list of activities related to NPMs in which SPT members participated, see annex V.